Famous Last Words

[Opening Prayer]

Text: John 19:28-30

English Standard Version Chapter 19

The Death of Jesus

28 After this, Jesus, knowing that all was now finished, said (to fulfill the Scripture), “I thirst.” 29 A jar full of sour wine stood there, so they put a sponge full of the sour wine on a hyssop branch and held it to his mouth. 30 When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished,” and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

Objective: Helping students see the significance of Jesus’ work on the cross through the lens of the phrase “It is finished”

Have you ever had a single moment change your entire life?

Illustration: Who here knows what it means when you start to hear the words, “You have the right to remain silent...”?

For those of you who don’t, it means you are getting arrested. Or in my case, I was getting arrested. It was 2018, I was deep in addiction, and very angry at God. I had made the horrific choice to drive home after drinking far too much, so much that I don’t even remember making this choice.

In that moment, in my mind, I went from being a somewhat good daughter/sister/friend to a convict. I couldn’t believe that I, Jordin Bruce (at the time), honor roll/AP student, teacher’s pet my whole life, had turned into someone who was handcuffed in the back of a police car. To make it worse, if possible, it took not one but two police cars to make me stop.

Words matter. Your decisions matter. Nothing in life is without consequence.

There are several words and phrases that can change your life:

Divorce

Expelled

We did all we could

Cancer

We’re moving

Tonight we are going to look at the most powerful words in the Bible: Jesus’ last words on the cross. When Jesus spoke these words, He changed everything. These words changed the course of human history forever.

Before we get into tonight’s text, I want to set the scene.

Jesus was betrayed by one of his followers: Judas. The Roman soldiers and Pharisees were led by Judas to the garden where they found Jesus. Matthew’s account tells us that Judas signaled Jesus to them by giving him a kiss (26:48-49).

Pilate (aka the “governor” of Judea) sentenced Jesus for being the “King of the Jews” - something that the Jewish people saw as heresy (something that went against their biblical principles, i.e. a false prophet).

How was Jesus executed? (Answer: Crucifixion)

What does that mean? (Answer: He was hung on a cross)

Both Greeks and Romans restricted its use to slaves, considering it too barbaric for citizens. Which speaks to Jesus’ sacrifice for OUR sins. We are all slaves to sin due to what happened in Eden (Genesis 3). Jesus literally died the death we all deserve in our place, to pay for our sins.

John 19:17 tells us that they took Jesus to “The Place of the Skull” (aka Golgotha). This hill was outside of Jerusalem and looked suspiciously like a skull - hence the name (SHOW PICTURE HERE). Anyone else know another significant Bible story that happened on this hill? (Answer: Abraham almost sacrificing Isaac). Rome used this as a place to kill criminals so that they would be seen by the whole city as an example.

I want to show you a video representation of Jesus’ death. This video is short, and is almost too tame for my liking. When we think of Jesus’ death, we need to remember how brutal of a killing this was. Get your parent’s permission to look up scenes of Jesus’ crucifixion on youtube (or they can show the ones I sent them in their parent emails this week) to get a better idea of how intense these moments were. Not just for Jesus, but for all those watching.

Very tame representation of Jesus’ death: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nlALmOx8Sk0

What you don’t see in this clip: Jesus was tied to a whipping post and flogged with a lead-tipped whip, 39 times because 40 times would be considered a death sentence. Then Pilot brought Jesus out to the crowd and asked if they wanted Jesus or another criminal (a proven murderer) freed - as was their custom to release one criminal. The people demanded Jesus be crucified. Jesus (after bring whipped almost to death) carried the heavy cross up to the top of Golgotha, was nailed to the cross by his hands and his feet (one crossed over another), and hung to die. The process of dying on a crucifix typically took a really long time - sometimes days. In John 19, John tells us that because it was the day of preparation (day before the Sabbath) they wanted the men on the crucifixes to due quickly, so the soldiers went to break the legs of the men so they could no longer hold themselves up using their feet. This would have helped them breathe a little while longer. However, when the soldiers got to Jesus they saw He was already dead. The weight of all our sin and shame weighed so heavy on Jesus that what could have taken days, took around 6 hours.

Now to our scripture. Let’s look at John 19:28-30

John 19:28–30 ESV

After this, Jesus, knowing that all was now finished, said (to fulfill the Scripture), “I thirst.” A jar full of sour wine stood there, so they put a sponge full of the sour wine on a hyssop branch and held it to his mouth. When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished,” and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

The hyssop branch that was used to give Jesus something to drink is what was used in cleansing rituals. The Jews used hyssop branches to wipe blood on their door posts during the Passover. (Brief explanation of the Passover in Exodus). This is important to know, because we now live with Jesus’ blood “over the doorframes” of our lives.

What were Jesus’ last words before He gave up His spirit? (Answer: It is finished)

Anyone know how to say that in the original Greek? (Answer: Tetelestai)

In ancient contexts, this word was used in reference to debts. The word would be stamped on the bottom of ancient financial documents showing that the debts shown were paid in full.

Anyone looking forward to college? Anyone talk to their parents about how expensive college can be? Think about getting into an Ivy League school like Harvard or Yale, getting a bill for hundreds of thousands of dollars, then looking at the bottom to see that it was paid in full and you don’t owe any money. - That is what Jesus did but on a much grander scale.

When Jesus said Tetelestai, he was declaring that ALL of our sins were paid for. We, as Christ followers, are DEBT FREE. Because of what happened in the Garden with Adam and Eve, the moment you took your first breath you were destined for Hell. But because of what Jesus did on the cross, we have a free way to get into Heaven - through Jesus!

Can we take 10 seconds to praise Jesus for this?!

Unlike in the video shown, when Jesus really said these words they were a declaration of victory. This was not something He muttered without much thought, this was an intentional and victorious moment.

What does it mean, that “it is finished”?

The religious system is finished. The Pharisees (or religious rulers) held the Jews to an impossible standard, all the while not living by the same standards (because they were impossible). Jesus teaches in Matthew 5 during the Sermon on the Mount that He came to fulfill the law. The law cannot be fulfilled without Him. Following all the rules is impossible without His help. Hebrews 10:11-12

Hebrews 10:11–12 ESV

And every priest stands daily at his service, offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God,

Sin is finished. Ephesians 1:7 The wages of sin is death. Point blank period. Sin is killing you. If you are not a Christian, if you have not asked Jesus into your heart to transform you and to be your Savior, sin is killing you. Jesus came to live a perfect life (like only He could), and die this sacrificial death so that you would not know the horrors of death for eternity. Yes, we will all die one day, but those of us who have Jesus as our Lord and Savior will not know the horrors of Hell and the grave. We will only know the momentary humanly death, and then the victorious eternal life with Jesus in Heaven. If you are a Christian, earth is the closest to hell you will ever be. If you are not a Christian, earth is the closes to heaven you will be. You cannot do it on your own. You have to trust in Jesus, and if you haven’t already done, so you will have an opportunity to do so before we dismiss tonight. If you are still with me say “Tetelestai”

Shame is finished. Romans 8:1 and Romans 10:11 Lean in, friends. This is important. Shame is one of the most powerful emotions you will ever feel. It is like quicksand, it will get you stuck and suffocate the life out of you. The devil was defeated by Jesus 2000 years ago, but until Jesus comes back again, he does have ways of tormenting us here on earth. One of these ways is through shame. If you are thinking your sin is too bad, that you aren’t worthy of God’s forgiveness, you don’t deserve to go to heaven, or you are constantly dealing with guilt from your past: You are falling prey to the devil’s tricks. What Jesus did on the cross paid for your “debts” (all the sin, shame, guilt, anxiety) IN FULL. There are no more payments to be made. If you are a prisoner to the past, you will never experience all that Jesus has done for you. And in your life, His death on the cross will be for nothing. Keep the past in the past. Another note about the word Tetelestai is that when Jesus used it on the cross it was in “Perfect Tense” which isn’t something we have in the English language. Perfect tense means it is done once and forever. Another sacrifice will never need to be made. Sin, shame, death, etc: They are all finished for good. For now, for yesterday, for last year, for next year.. FOREVER.

How many know this is not where the story ends, though?

Yes, Jesus died. He was dead for 3 days. He died on Friday (Good Friday) and raised again on Sunday (Easter).

God had a miracle in the mess. God had hope for the hopeless. How many of you know that Jesus can turn the biggest tragedy into the biggest victory? Jesus broke out of the grave! Confirming that He is the sacrificial lamb and the Victorious King.

When Jesus did this, He proved that even when things make no sense, He is in control and is still working. When things seem hopeless - there is hope.

God doesn’t just improve your life: He can bring dead things back to life!

There is something more powerful than your shame.

There is something more powerful than your broken heart.

There is something more powerful than the addictions you face.

There is something more powerful than any self destructive thoughts you have.

There is something more powerful than all your sin, your struggles, and your pain.

All that power is found in one person: Jesus Christ.

[Closing Prayer]

*Gospel Message for anyone who doesn’t know Jesus as their Savior yet*

[Sinners Prayer/Prayer of Repentance]

Worship Team comes up and leads Mighty Name of Jesus (The Belonging Co.)